Tutorial: Explosion design tape mani

Hi everyone, welcome to my 'explosion' shape tutorial! The first time I used this design was in my 4th of July mani , representing fireworks. You loved it and requested a tutorial, so here it is :) The taping technique I use for it is similar to the zigzag pattern, so it's not very hard but it does require some patience because there are two taping sessions. So to make the time this design takes reasonable, I recommend using one-coaters or a fast drying topcoat. Let's get started!

Start with the base color you like (if necessary with a basecoat underneath) and let it dry completely. To speed up the drying process you can apply a fast drying topcoat. The one I often use is Seche Vite, which enables me to place the tape strips on my nails after about 10 minutes.

Now cut some triangles out of tape to make the 'explosion' shape. The way I do it is by first cutting a little piece off the tape roll which I then cut in half diagonally, like shown in the picture(s).

I personally like to cut the strips while I let my base color dry. But I have to be careful then, otherwise the tape might get stuck to my nails and ruin the polish. So admittedly, it is safer to start with cutting before applying the base color. However, if you've learned how to cut the tape without having it touch your polished nails, it can save you a lot of time.

Now place the triangles one by one next to each other on the corner of your nail, in a slight curve. This will create the 'explosion' shape. It's your choice to make the shape at the cuticles or the tip, however my experience is that it's a lot easier near the tip, like shown in the picture. Because that way you're polishing away from the tape, reducing the chance of polish seeping underneath. Also you don't have to reckon with cuticles nearby.
Make sure all the pieces of tape are fully adhered to the surface (they tend to lift up near the edges of the nail), if not use your finger or a tweezer to push them down or reattach them if needed.

Then apply your first layering color with a thin coat and carefully peel off the pieces of tape right away. Try to peel them off individually, if you can, because most of the time your design will come out neater this way.
Then let the design dry for a while. Use a fast drying topcoat to quicken the drying if needed.

When the polish is entirely dry, you can start the taping process once again with your second layering color. Only this time place the triangles a bit more towards the tip, covering up a part of the first layering color like shown in the picture.
Apply your second layering polish and again remove the tape strips right away.

At last apply your topcoat, clean up and you are done! Don't forget to moisturize your cuticles afterwards, because pulling tape off your skin so many times can really dry it out!
Use this design for a full mani or cute accent nails. When you're going for a full mani, you can do the design on different spots on each nail for a playful look (example here).

Check out the tutorial page for some useful tips. Also I would love to see your attempt on my design, so feel free to leave a link to your creation in the comment section!

Polishes I used in this post are OPI Dim Sum Plum, Color Club Where's The Soiree? and China Glaze Millennium.

I love this! I'm going to have to try it soon! In the meantime I have attempted a zig-zag tape mani after reading your tutorials. I've put my own spin on it, but you can see it on my blog here: http://manicure-maniac.blogspot.com/2011/08/traffic-jam-with-twist-inspiration-from.html

I've tagged a link to your blog in the post :) Thanks for the inspiration! V

awesome tutorial! after I saw the design, I went ahead and tried it out on myself anyway in all different spots on the nail. I like how you tape the opposite way I do though.. I tape over the part I want to keep, then paint the rest a colour. interesting!

Your tutorial kicks a$$ cuz I'm so art challenged and I was able to do this not as good as yours but I'm very happy with the results it's so cute and was very easy thanks so so much! here is my post about it if u have the time if not no worries thanks girl! http://lovebeangirl.blogspot.com/2011/08/essie-turquoise-caicos-and-scotch-tape.html

thanks for the tutorial! I never figured out how you got the two explosions exactly the same, I acually use the same tapestrips both times and still don´t get it the same :D It is ofcource just a differeence in what you like the most, nothing better than the other, but I really wanted to be able to do both. I think it is the way you cut your tape that make the difference, and a little also how you angle the first explosion :) I´m really loving tape manis so thank you for all the inspiration!

@naiilartlover: It can take me 30-60 minutes, at a rough estimate. I really don’t keep up with it haha. But it really depends on what polishes I’m using for all the layers. I try to use one-coaters if I can because they dry so fast or sometimes I’ll use the mani from a day before which saves me a lot of time :)

@Vicky@Manicure-Maniac: Thank you!! And what a nice twist on the design you made! ^^

@marox79: Yes, I used Seche Vite after I was done. But sometimes I’ll also grab my Sally Hansen Insta-Dry, which has a thinner substance but a slightly longer drying time.

@Sandra: D’oh! Haha, never wait! ;-)

@Catherine: Thanks a lot! The first couple of times I experimented with tape, I completely messed up everything haha. I just didn’t wait long enough for the polish to dry and my tape left a sticky residue all the time… But then I got into the nail blogging world which introduced me to fast drying topcoat, what a miracle! I also tried other stationery tape and quickly after that was when it was starting to become fun :D

@Polish Vixen Marisa: I’m happy to hear that ^^ Thank you!

@CandyDoll Couture said: Very handy isn’t it? I don’t know how we would survive without! Haha

@Fingers: You could also try this on just a few fingers as accent nail or use two colors instead of three to save some time/effort ;-)

@s.: It works both ways haha, very clever ;-)

@Cristina - PeeBeforePolish: That’s so cool! Very suiting indeed!

@♥beauxs mom said: Thanks so much for your kind words, I’m happy to hear you succeeded, it looks so neat! And I really LOVE the colors you chose for the design, great job!

@Kirshten: Practice makes perfect ;-) I really love the colors though and how you combined it with the dots! Very edgy :D

This reminds me of a cominc book! totally fun! I tried to imitate but turned out a little different lol. Still cute tho! Thanks for this!http://whoreders.blogspot.com/2012/01/get-nailed-baby-youre-firework.html

I tried it out, but this is so difficult :-(When I apply the tape to the nail the shape comes never out like yours. It looks like a very crooked explosion. Yours is so straight, my explosion comes out crooked.It's not easy to place the tape stripes right.How long did you practised?

I've been reading your blog for quite a while but never took the time to write a few words : shame on me !!Thanks so much for all your tutorials, your inspiration you share.You're so gifted, its amazing !Thank you againA French "Nailista" completely mad about your art, because it is art.

I love this mani. I had just plain pink nails with a kind of glitter ombre that didn't work out so well, so I added the explosion look over it. I loved it! It got a little messed up, but for my first try, it wasn't so bad. Here's a picture http://instagr.am/p/J-cqQ2ys8s/

Just so you know, this tutorial has been posted on Buzzfeed without credit to you. The article is at http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/12-amazing-diy-nail-art-designs-using-scotch-tape. Your tutorials are amazing, and I hate to see someone not getting their fair due.

Thank you for this great tuturial. I didnt ever really like to paint my nails, but then I got them long, and now I find painted nails quite exciting.I found your blog, and already love your designs. I tried this one for christmas nails, and was surprised of how easy it was.

You can see my version here: http://skauogco.blogspot.dk/2012/12/eksplotion-i-rdt.html

I featured this design in a recent Ironman manicure (for the release of Ironman 3 this weekend!) because this is one of my favorites of your designs and it just makes me think of superheroes. I was actually inspired by the guest post manicure you did with Orly Sweet Peacock, so both your blog and hers got a backlink in my post!

http://www.nails-by-nette.com/2013/05/02/ironman-3/

Thanks for all the inspiration! I have been reading through all your archives and will be sad when I reach the end.

Many thanks for your wonderful tutorial. All your tutorials are so great and looked so easy to do. You inspired me for my nails to do like yours. I have linked you in my post http://gelackt.blogspot.de/ My nails aren´t look so good as yours. I think I took the wrong tape....I hope you will soon post more. Unfortunately I´ve read all your articles and now I´m sad about getting to the end.